How to Make a Trellis for Vertical Gardens

Fasten plastic netting to a wood or bamboo frame for an even quicker-to-make trellis.

A trellis may be a purely practical support structure, providing a surface for cucumbers and beans to ramble upon. A trellis can also offer privacy and shield a deck or patio. Use a trellis to screen out an undesirable view or to provide a backdrop for smaller, shorter plantings. Some of the most beautiful flowering vines, such as clematis, require a trellis to perform their best. Purchasing ready-made trellises becomes expensive if you have many plants or a large garden. Save money by making your own simple bamboo trellis which you can customize to your space.

Things You'll Need

• PVC pipe
• Handsaw
• Rubber mallet
• Bamboo poles, 6 to 8 feet tall, 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter
• Cable ties, twist ties, twine or wire
• Bamboo poles, 1/4-inch in diameter
• Pruning shears
• Embellishments

Instructions

1. Cut sections of PVC pipe at least 12 inches long. Working with two pieces at a time, use the rubber mallet to pound the pipes 8 to 10 inches into the garden soil opposite each other, about 18 to 24 inches apart. Move about 18 to 24 inches down the row and install another set of PVC pipes. Continue until you have reached the end of the row.

2. Insert the large-diameter pieces of bamboo into the buried PVC pipes. Continue with each set of pipes until you've put all of the vertical pieces of bamboo in place.

3. Lash the pairs of bamboo pieces together about 1 foot from the top to form an inverted "V." Use cable ties, twine, wire or other fasteners to tie the bamboo together.

4. Attach a long piece of bamboo atop the row of paired bamboo poles to connect and stabilize the trellis. Place the horizontal pole in the "V" created at the junction of the lashed poles and secure it to each set of poles with cable ties or wire.

5. Lash 1/4-inch diameter bamboo poles to one side of the structure horizontally, starting at the top and working down toward the ground. Trim the pieces with pruning shears or a handsaw for a better fit. Repeat for the other side.

6. Embellish the trellis with decorative objects if desired. Use beads, broken CDs, wire or other materials.

7. Plant seeds or seedlings at the base of the trellis. As the plants grow, weave the new shoots through the trellis to help them hold on.

Tips & Warnings

• Bamboo has a hollow stem with nodes that divide the stem into sections. If possible, trim the top of the vertical bamboo poles even with the node. That way water can't collect at the top and cause the stem to rot.

• Take the trellis apart at the end of the season and store it in indoors for longevity.

References

• Michigan State University: Build Your Own Bamboo Trellis
• New Mexico State University: Vertical Garden Watermelon on Trellis

Resources

• University of Vermont Extension: Grow Vertical Vegetables